Parramatta recruit charged with assault

Fringe Parramatta first-grader Liam Foran has been charged with common assault after an alleged family dispute about money on January 12.

The half appeared before Gosford Local Court on Tuesday with lawyer Warwick Korn, after he allegedly assaulted a relative – believed to be an uncle – at a family gathering at Wamberal on the state's Central Coast.

Police allege the 25-year-old lashed out after the man refused to give him money.

He was arrested and granted conditional bail until his first court appearance. Foran did not enter a plea and the case has been adjourned until February 11 and an interim AVO remains in place.

Foran joined Parramatta this year after leaving English Super League club Salford only six months into a three-year deal, playing 17 games last year.

The Eels said in a statement that they would “support” Foran.

“The NRL Integrity Unit was informed of the incident earlier in January, and the club has undertaken its own internal investigation,” the statement read. “The club is supporting Liam through this difficult time. As this is an ongoing legal matter, neither Liam nor the club are in a position to make any further comment at this time.”

He has struggled to be a regular NRL player since playing three games for Melbourne in 2008. Foran added eight more top-grade games for Manly in 2012 after a brief stint with the Warriors, where he did not feature in their first-grade team. He is the older brother of Manly's New Zealand star Kieran.

Along with fellow Parramatta recruit Corey Norman, Foran is expected to challenge Luke Kelly and Chris Sandow for a halves spot.

Foran's court appearance comes after Newcastle veteran Willie Mason was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on his way to Knights training on Monday morning. He returned a reading of 0.09 and will appear in court on February 20.